BMI Calculator

Being healthy is not only about how much you weigh—it's also about how your weight fits with your height. That's why health care providers, sport coaches, and even schools tend to use BMI (Body Mass Index) as a tool. 

Our BMI Calculator makes it easy. Simply enter your weight in kilograms (kg) and height in centimeters (cm), and within seconds you'll have your BMI. It tells you whether you are underweight, a healthy weight, overweight or obese.

What is Body Mass Index (BMI)?

Body Mass Index, or BMI, is a simple way to see if your weight is appropriate for your height. In fact, think of it as a useful number that gives a quick glance at your body shape and is an estimate of your body fat.

The calculation is easy: you simply take your weight in kilograms, and divide it by your height in meters squared. The result is a number that is recorded as kg/m².

Formula for BMI is:

BMI = Weight (kg) ÷ [Height (m)]²

(Remember: height must be in meters, not centimeters. So if your height is 160 cm, that’s 1.6 m.)

Easy Conversions:

• Weight: 1 pound = 0.453 kg
• Height: 1 foot = 0.304 m
• Height: 1 inch = 0.025 m

Example:

If someone weighs 60 kg and is 160 cm (1.6 m) tall:

BMI = 60 ÷ (1.6 × 1.6) = 60 ÷ 2.56 = 23.4

A BMI of 23.4 falls into the healthy weight range.

Alternatively, you can use our free BMI calculator by simply entering your weight and height.

Why Calculating BMI Is So Important For You?

Your Body Mass Index (BMI) is a unique number that helps you determine if your body is in a healthy state. BMI is a simple calculation that gives you a good starting point for determining if you are at an appropriate weight in relation to your height. There are a few reasons to know your BMI: 

• First, it can be a warning sign – a BMI that is too high may indicate excess body fat, which can lead to some health concerns, while a BMI that is too low may indicate you are not getting enough food for your body to be properly nourished. 
• Second, it's a quick health check – within seconds you will know if your weight is in a healthy range.
• Third, it can help prevent disease – individuals with higher BMI's are more likely to develop diabetes, heart disease and high blood pressure.
• Fourth, it can provide direction towards fitness goals – trainers and nutritionists can use BMI to suggest fitness or diet changes. 
• Finally, it is easy and free – you do not need to go to a doctor or take up any tests, simply use your height and weight! 

As you can see, tracking your BMI can be a good start to help make healthy decisions for your body. BMI is not only important for kids, but adults too! Your BMI is a simple and basic health measure and can help you and your doctor to better identify if you are at a healthy weight. 

Understanding Adult BMI Ranges

For adults (age 20 and over) can use BMI as a general measure of body weight status. Adult BMI categories are standard and consistent for adults of any gender, age, or ethnicity. 

• Less than 18.5: Underweight
• 18.5 - 24.9: Normal, Healthy Weight Range
• 25.0 - 29.9: Overweight
• 30.0 and above: Obese

These numbers give you an easy way to view where your BMI sits on a general spectrum.

BMI for Children and Teens

Because children and teen bodies are changing and still developing, BMI calculations for children and teens differ from adults. To accurately calculate the BMI of a child or a teen, we need to consider the child's age, gender, and rate of growth.

For this reason, the doctors use a BMI Percentile Chart. Instead of providing a single summary number, a child's BMI is mapped against the BMIs of other children who have the same age and gender. The comparison shows if the child's BMI is higher or lower than the others.

BMI Percentile Ranges for Children and Teens

For children and teens (ages 2 to 20), BMI is interpreted based on these percentile categories:

• Below 5th Percentile: Underweight
• 5th to 85th Percentile: Healthy Weight
• 85th to 95th Percentile: Overweight
• Above 95th Percentile: Obese

What Are The Limitations of BMI?

While BMI is helpful, it is not perfect. BMI only looks at weight and height, but not composition.

• A person with lots of muscle mass (like most athletes) could register a high BMI, but in reality, he/she would be very healthy.
• BMI does not determine where fat is placed (belly vs. thighs).
• BMI also does not factor in age, gender, or bone structure.

That is why BMI should be taken as an approximate indicator, not the only indicator of health. Doctors also have the other options of looking at waist measurement and body fat percentage, and doing actual blood tests.

How to Use Our BMI Calculator

Our BMI Calculator is extremely easy to use: 

1. Enter your weight (kg)
2. Enter your height (cm)
3. Click the button, and see your BMI instantaneously.
4. Read the results to find out which category you are in (underweight, normal, overweight, obese).

Real-Life Examples of the Use of BMI

• School Health Checkups – Schools often utilize BMI to assess children's growth during childhood.
• Medical Appointments – Your doctor can calculate your BMI as part of your yearly evaluation.
• Goals for Fitness – Gyms and dietitians may calculate your BMI as a reference for weight loss or weight gain goals.
• Everyday Use – You may test your BMI at any time to remain aware of your health.

Adopting a Healthy BMI

• Maintain a healthy diet involving fruits, vegetables, and whole grain foods.
• Physical activity – walk, cycle, swim, or play sports.
• Consume adequate water on a daily basis.
• Sleep appropriately.
• Go see a doctor if your BMI is too high or low for you to feel comfortable.

FAQs

Q1: What is BMI in simple terms? 

BMI is short for Body Mass Index. It is a number that indicates wether your weight is appropriate for your height. 

Q2: What is a healthy BMI? 

A healthy BMI is between 18.5 and 24.9. 

Q3: How can I calculate BMI? 

The formula is: BMI = weight (kg) ÷ [height (m)]². Alternatively, you can just use our BMI Calculator. 

Q4: Is BMI the same for children and adults?

Yes. Children employ percentile BMI charts since they develop at varying rates. Adults employ fixed ranges.

Q5: Can I rely entirely on BMI?

BMI is useful but not ideal. It doesn't account for muscles, fat distribution, or body shape. It's best employed as a beginning point.

Q6: What should I do if my BMI is too high? 

If your BMI is above 25, it's likely you are at risk of being overweight and should speak with a doctor about healthy choices in eating and exercise. 

Q7: What should I do if my BMI is too low? 

If your BMI is less than 18.5, it's likely you may be underweight. You should consider eating more nutrient rich foods and consulting a doctor. 

Q8: Calculate the BMI for a person weighing 90 Kg and height of 180 cm?

So, for a person weighing 90 kg with a height of 180 cm, BMI would be 27.78 kg/m².

Final Thoughts

A BMI Calculator is an easy, powerful tool that provides a quick overview of your health. Your BMI is the first step towards a better you - eating better, exercising more, or talking to your physician.

It's not about being skinny or big - it's about being healthy and fit for your height. Calculate your BMI now, and take small steps towards a healthier you.